'Ramsey was a very intelligent defenseman with a great understanding of the game. He was always in great position and always made a solid play and clearing the zone dependably. He also was an honest physical player – very tough in front of his net and a good open ice hitter. He was also recognized as one of the game's best shot blockers. His work ethic, dependability, and importance to the team made him a natural choice to serve as the Sabres captain after Mike Foligno's departure in 1990.'

'When I first started in the organization, I began just flying around trying to make saves and didn’t get the opportunity to round out my game by playing a lot. Now, I am not really doing things differently, I’m just learning a game I was trying to change things with. A lot of positioning, mental approaches and making changes that you have to work into. Hopefully, those adjustments will become second nature by the end of the season.

'No longer optimistic that this season can be saved, Jeanneret exercised his vocal chords in the recent Amerks game at HSBC Arena and a charity game organized by ex-Sabre Pat LaFontaine. He's also done commercial voiceover work on ads for J.W. Danforth Heating and Air Conditioning and Atlantic Fish Co. So instead of hearing Jeanneret's trademark description of a Sabres goal that goes "top shelf, where Mama hides the cookies," radio listeners are more likely to hear him say "If you like fish…"'

'HF: Overall, are you satisfied about the prospects in the Sabres organization?

DP: Overall, we are happy with the talent level in our organization. I guess one of area concern right now is the defensemen. We have only one defenseman here and four forwards. I think that going forward we would not pass a forward that we really like, but we had liked to add some defensemen to our group of guys.'

‘”Signing here was the best thing for me to do. What I went through the last year or two, trying to get things straightened out with Buffalo, not knowing what’s going on and waiting until halfway through the summer to sign here. . . . Here, they’ve given me every opportunity plus some.”‘

'J.P. Dumont realizes he could lose over two million dollars, but he says others have sacrificed for him in labor disagreements and now it's his turn. He also feels that the owners haven't told the players all their sources of income. He pointed to the fact the all won't open their books.'

'On many nights for the first three months, he skated a regular shift only a couple times a period. "That's part of the learning process for most rookies," said Paille, who was selected 20th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2002 NHL draft. "You have to learn from it, you have to learn from the older guys."'

'Waterford Investors appointed Darryl Shannon vice president of private banking for its new bank to be located in Clarence. A former player for 16 seasons in the National Hockey League, Shannon was part of the NHL's Stanley Cup Finalist Buffalo Sabres team in the 1998-99 season.'

'If Pollack doesn't come back with a stronger bid and Empire folds, Adelphia is expected to make a deal with another regional network, most likely MSG, to carry the Sabres games for the final two years of its $8.5 million annual right fees deal. After that contract ends, the Sabres would have to negotiate a new deal that is unlikely to be as lucrative.'

'“My coach and my agent both told me that I had a decent shot to be a late pick. On draft day, I remember just staring at the computer and watching each pick and round go by. It was very difficult to do, but Buffalo took a chance on me with the 220th pick in the seventh round, a lot earlier than I thought. I knew a few minutes later that the work was only beginning.”'

'"We hope it never gets to that" Boughner said. "The last proposal from the NHL was like a slap in the face after what the players had done in an attempt to help. He's(Gary Bettman) actually made it very, very easy for players to be united and strong. I may never play a game again but its principle, its something we believe in. We believe in a free market system and we know we are right."'

'I'm wary of that "longest-tenure" stuff. It paints a big bright target on you, knowing sooner or later you're next in line for the firing squad. Darcy and I have gone through a lot, a couple of bankruptcies and ownership changes. Through it all, we've learned some things that helped both our careers. We've had some pretty special players play here and they deserve a lot of credit. This team has always had real good character throughout the roster.'